Friday, January 4, 2013

Smocked Swap!


I don't think my first link worked to the Smocked Swap today on Kelly's Korner so I am reposting here.

I have on Facebook Girls and Boys Smock (and some monogram) items for sale! Girls and Boys from NB-3T! Come buy, look and if you see something you like feel free to make offers!

Here is the link:

www.facebook.com/ems.closet.9








Sunday, March 18, 2012

Easter pictures

Today after church we ventured to St. Francisville and had Easter pictures taken. They turned out sooooo cute. Here's a sneak peek..... Thanks Ms. Jane for the beautiful pictures!

Friday, March 16, 2012

Company Shrimp Casserole

Thursday night I went to a "GNO" for a great friend Lisanne who I work with at OLOL in New Roads the few days a month I work. She made this wonderful shrimp casserole and I fell in love with it and immediately knew I needed the recipe. So, she was kind enough to share it with me and I am going to be kind enough to share it with you all. Trust me, you WANT to make this casserole. It is sooo good. Keith and Emilee ate it up! Its PERFECT paired with a salad and fresh bread. So, here we go.

You will need:

2 to 3 pounds of shrimp, cooked and peeled

1 cup rice, cooked

1 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese (I used finely shredded and it was FINE)

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 stick of butter

1/2 cup chopped bell pepper

1/2 cup chopped green onions

1/2 cup chopped celery

4 lemons, sliced very thin


And this is what you do.... **Note, if you want to skip to the bottom I have listed the instructions and you can skip the pictures!**

First cook your rice. Ratio 1 cup rice, 2 cups water. I put a little slice of butter in it and some Kosher salt for flavoring. You want to do this first because you want your rice to be cooked and not too hot when you go to place it in the rest of the mixtures you will be making.


If you haven't already done so, now is the time to peel your shrimp. Wash them well!


Go ahead and start sauteeing your shrimp. I used some EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) and some Garlic and Wine Seasoning that we actually picked up at the Melting Pot and put on EVERYTHING. You could use whatever seasoning blend you like though.


 Simmer, Simmer, Simmer!


While that's going, start cutting up your green onions, bell pepper, and celery. Now, I didn't measure 1/2 cups exactly I just kinda cut til I had enough and called it a 1/2 cup. Now, I'm from Louisiana and we have the "Holy Trinity"... This is it. Although usually I have regular onions in mine instead of green onions!


Add a stick of butter and cook down until tender. Why a whole stick? Because that's what we do down South!


 While that is getting all sauteed,  you want to begin your "mixture." It's the cheese, cream of mushroom soup, and the rice (that has been cooling.) Stir that up and then add the shrimp!



Then once the "Holy Trinity" is done, add that too!


 Place it in a LONG, FLAT dish. I used a 9x13 aluminum pan because... well... the only one we had this big is on loan to a friend of my mom's so...



Cut your 4 lemons into slices and place on top of the casserole as so.


Cover with aluminum foil, pop that baby in the oven at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes!



When its done, remove the lemons and serve it up!


 End result. Deliciouness. New Roads, Louisiana style.





Instructions: Yields 6 servings.

1. Cook rice as directed on packaging. Set aside to cool.
2. Saute shrimp. I used EVOO and Garlic and Wine Seasoning. Let simmer.
3. In a separate skillet, melt butter and saute bell peppers, onions, and celery. Cook until tender.
4. In a mixing bowl, add your cheese, cream of mushroom soup, rice. Add your shrimp when they are ready... Be sure to either drain your shrimp or spoon them from the sauce pan into the mixture.
5. Once the the green onions, bell pepper, and celery are done, add this to your mixture. Mix up well.
6. Place in a LONG, FLAT dish. Spread evenly.
7. Slice lemons and completely cover top of casserole.
8. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20-30 minutes at 375 degrees.
9. Remove lemons and enjoy!


Additional notes:

May be frozen prior to baking...just don't put the lemons on until you are ready to slide in the oven!

REMOVE all lemons prior to storing to prevent the dish from becoming bitter.  


Like I said, this is absolutely delicious and SUPER easy. No wonder it's called "Company Shrimp"...it will feed plenty and leave your company very happy!

It definitely made THIS little girl happy!!!!


Any questions? Email me at reneesullivan27@yahoo.com

Oh! And!!! Follow my blog because I plan on doing more recipes/Pinterest projects!

Have a great weekend!



Thursday, February 2, 2012

Autumn B.- 24 years old MS/LA/AL

I am alittle rusty at this blogging thing... I haven't blogged since like week 24 of my pregnancy and now Emilee is HERE and 7 months old.. HA! But I am doing this for one of my great friends. I have faith in Kelly's SUYL so here's hoping I am cupid!

This is Autumn!



Autumn is a 24 year old 2011 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS where she received her Masters in Accounting. While at USM she was involved in numerous school activites such as: Beta Alpha Psi, British Studies, Tau Sigma, Beta Gamma Sigma and the Business Student Advisory Council. (All while maintaing a stellar average)

Graduation Day!!!!

Honor Society Christmas tree decorating contest

This past summer she traveled to London to study!


She currently works for a succcessful accounting firm in the Foley, AL area.



After finishing college, she moved to the beautiful Alabama beaches! Well, sorta...she lives a few miles away but I can smell the salty air from her doorstep!

Autumn and I met in Junior College and immediately hit it off... since then...well the rest is history. I graciously turned over my presidency of Phi Theta Kappa when I graduated... she took it and brought it to new heights! Each time we get together is as if no time was spent apart and you can usually find us saying random things together that ONLY makes sense to us.  I can go on and on about her great qualities but feel it's best to include some of her thoughts.
My (Renee) wedding day!

I asked her the 3 words that she uses to describe herself and she told me the following:
1. Accomplished
2. Respected
3. Adventurous

Where does she see herself in 10 years?
"In 10 years I see myself as a Senior Manager in my firm, very involved in my community, and hopefully with a husband and child(ren)."


What is her best quality?
My big heart!




Sold yet?? There's more....


She's a great Christian. She attends church regularly and really lives for the Lord. Which these days, is a blessing in itself.


Her family is fantastic. I love her mom like I love my mom. She cooks fantastic breakfast! I stayed with them a few years back and she had breakfast cooked daily for us! Shout out to Ms. Debbie! Her dad is a hard worker who has instilled fabulous values in her and her sister and brother in law are awesome as well. Your not just getting a great girl, your getting a PHENOMENAL family.

And finally,


Her sweet dog Rosie!! Package deal!




Seriously yall, Autumn is one of the strongest people I know.  She has overcome obstacles in life that most people don't dream of... That is what makes her so great!! I could go on and on about her qualities...having her name three clearly wasn't enough but in the interest of time and hoping that someone will actually read ALL my ramblings... I hope this snapshot profile will do.

So, if your interested or know someone who might be. Comment here or email me at reneesullivan27@yahoo.com. I have to screen for crazies guys! HA!


Your getting a great girl. She will take you down at Putt Putt Golf on the beautiful beaches of Gulf Shores, or you can just spend the day doing nothing but reading the newspaper! Either way...this Autumn just isn't the name of a season...she could be the girl of your dreams!


Friday, April 1, 2011

OB appt 24 weeks



We had our 24 week appt yesterday (Thursday) and we attempted to repeat the ultrasound since our last one at 20 weeks was interrupted by a fiesty little girl! Spoiler alert though...this one didn't go too much better! Emilee had a GREAT strong heartbeat at 137 bpm. Weighs in at exactly 1 pound, 8 ounces. She measures alittle ahead of schedule in some areas, right on schedule in most. So no change in due dates... We are still trucking right along to July! We also met with our midwife, Dana. I have honestly grown to love her sooo much more than I thought I would. Midwives to me are so "old days" but Dana is right there with me every step of the way and even gave me her number yesterday so that when I go into labor I can call her day or night and she will come deliver my child...Not many doctors will do that for you. In fact, I am not sure ANY will. So I really love her for that. And she cries with me, and laughs with me and we just click. Keith really likes her too, she is always showing him and teaching him how to feel the outlines of my uterus so we can watch my belly grow, and shows him how to find the baby and such. Of course, Dana said everything was right on track and had no issues with anything. Says my pregnancy is a breeze. We will go back in 4 weeks for our 28 week appointment and at that time we will do the glucose test again to test for gestational diabetes and then we will start going EVERY 2 weeks! OMG! So close!

As I mentioned earlier, our ultrasound was eventful again. She cooperated ALITTLE bit better than last but not much. She really loves to keep her hands and arms up near her face so we can't see anything. We did get to see her heart though which was most important to me. I read alot of blogs that have either lost children due to congenital heart defects or are expecting children with them. So I was super worried about it. But I am VERY happy to report her little heart it perfect. I personally counted 4 chambers, watched the blood flow through her heart, saw those valves opening and closing, and saw a really nice strong beat. So that relieved me so much. We still didn't get everything they need so I will most likely have to have another ultrasound but of course I don't mind that. However, Miss Emilee did show us her little mouth for a moment when she STUCK her tongue out at us! We were fortunate enough to get pictures of it but of course seeing in in real time was amazing. I know I will have a full time job on my hands with this little girl. She is going to be something! Her little legs never stop moving either. She is definitely very active! HA!

And that is it. Everything is going great and I couldn't be happier. Now if I could just pick out a stroller....

See ya soon!







Thursday, March 24, 2011

Prego Mego- 23 weeks

Here we are, again a few days late, at 23 weeks! Next week I will turn 24 years old...and I will be 24 weeks pregnant...I think that is so cool. Emilee and I have made some pretty big strides this week. She is definitely making her presence known lately!

23 Week Highlights

Weight Gain/Loss: I weighed this morning at have gained a total of 3 pounds...after losing nearly 30...But 1 of those 3 pounds comes and goes...so it depends on the day!

Gender: It's a girl! Emilee Sullivan

Size: This week, Emilee is the size of a.... Papaya! Again! Apparently this is the size we are going to stay at for a few weeks according to thebump.com.


Symptoms: This has been the biggest change for me this week.. Emilee is growing like a little weed and she is showing me how much by stretching me out! We have definitely been dealing with some growing pains. Last night (Wednesday) was the first night that I was completely totally unable to get comfortable due to the growing pains. Finally Daddy propped some pillows up ALL around me and I was able to get some rest. I find myself laughing soooo much throughout the day because depending on Miss Priss's mood, I can look sooooo pregnant and then look soooo not pregnant. When she wants to be known, she comes to the front and sticks it all out, but when I am stressed or anxious or if she is just being alittle trickster she will hide over by my hips and my belly that was there 5 seconds ago is GONE. I find my patients looking at me soo funny sometimes cause they are like...well I THOUGHT you were pregnant but your belly just disappeared! It's our act! HA!

The only other symptom to talk about is HEARTBURN! I swear I am growing a "Cousin It." Thankfully Tums relieves most of this so its not a big deal. Just want to stand up alot!

Maternity Clothes: If you see the above about Emilee's disappearing belly act you will understand that sometimes I clearly need the prego clothes, sometimes I don't!

Miss: Nothing.

Movement: She moves alot more lately. Not while I am at work...me walking keeps her snoozing most of the day but at night she gets busy! Still won't let Daddy feel her yet but I think that is Emilee being alittle trickster!

Sleep: I sleep great, a few potty breaks...not every night, some nights.

And this weeks update from thebump.com:
"Baby's little face is fully formed...minus the baby fat, of course. The next task at hand for baby: sprouting two teeny-tiny nipples!"

I can't believe that I only have 4 more weeks in the second trimester! Could this be going ANY faster?!?! I am so in love with my little girl and she isn't even here yet. I just know that she will be sooo special and bring so much joy. I can't wait to tell her ALL about her namesake and how much he meant to mommy and how special she is that she gets to be named after him. And how daddy goes to the stores with me and I end up having to drag him out before he spends our life savings. So many things I can't wait to show her, teach her but most of all... I just want to hold her!

As always, see you next week!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Emilee's Crib

This past Sunday...two very important things happened... MY BIRTHWEEK began AND Emilee got her crib! What a way to start my birthweek! Birthweek's by the way applies to the week leading up to your birthday... As if that wasn't obvious.

None the less, MeMe bought Emilee her crib! It was a complete surprise and a very welcome one. We couldn't wait to get her crib home and put it together. I was alittle nervous about putting it together. I have heard LOADS of scary stories about hours it takes, etc.... I was nervous! Especially when Keith said "well as long as I use MOST of the screws..."


Keith unboxing the crib.... this box was the biggest box  I have ever seen! So many pieces!

SOME of the boxes INSIDE the boxes!

Stil opening up those boxes.

Sophie checking things out......

IS THAT FOR ME?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Working hard for his little girl's bed.

Emilee watching all the action...

ALMOST DONE!


DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the only screws left are for the conversion kits that convert from crib to toddler to full size. I promise!

And that's our crib! It is currently still sitting in our living room, mainly because I couldn't WAIT to put it together but until the bed comes out of the nursery, there is no room for a baby bed. So Ms. Sue and Mr. Gary if your reading this....I have a bed that needs to come to Centreville! :)